The Gathering

After what seems like months ago when we began putting word around, the very first get-together of our Cumbrian Young People's Health Panel is finally upon us and will be held this Saturday.

Colleagues in Public Engagement and Childrens' Services have gathered together a good mix of ages, personalities and experience to help tell the county's NHS how they want their services shaped.

It'll be a fascinating process to see how this group of young strangers works through the challenge of being asked to be themselves and begin to express their views against a backdrop of a very personal, common theme. Health care can easily polarise adults' opinion, so the two staff are prepared to be surprised, impressed and explore new ways of thinking in equal measure.